The council had a 14.75 per cent rates rise this year, but signalled in its 2024/34 Long Term Plan rates rises would drop back below 10 per cent from next year.
‘‘For the most part, we want to stay within that rates number,’’ he said.
‘‘After Christmas we may need to come back and look at some of those cost pressures."
The council is working with the Hurunui and Waimakariri councils to consider future models to manage the region’s three waters infrastructure, while recruitment is under way to replace operations senior manager Dave Clibbery, who is retiring.
‘‘We may need some additional funding depending on the model we come up with and, with Dave leaving, there maybe some gaps in knowledge in losing his experience,’’ Kearney said.
‘‘The new model is likely to cost more, irrespective of what direction we go,’’ chief executive Will Doughty said.
Should the councils form a council controlled organisation (CCO), the new entity may require ‘‘some from director payments’’, he said.
The final model will depend on Government legislation due to be presented in Parliament before Christmas.
Other factors which could have an impact included staff retention, new property valuations, Government reform, and geopolitical tensions in the Ukraine, Middle East, China and the United States, Kearney said.
The council also plans to introduce a new IT system in partnership with the Hurunui District Council
Major projects in next year’s budget include the Waiau Toa Clarence River bridge replacement, the western development project and the Wakatu Quay development, which are all receiving significant Government funding.
Mr Doughty said staff are beginning to review the council’s financials ready to begin work on the 2025/26 annual plan in January.
A draft annual plan will be ready by April for possible consultation and then adoption in June.
‘‘Whether consultation is required is still to be determined, but we will do some form of engagement,’’ Doughty said.
Some early public engagement in February is possible, ‘‘once we’ve got a bit of an idea of where we are sitting’’, he said.
Annual plan consultation is only required if there are significant changes to what was signalled in the Long Term Plan.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
